Here are the results of the House Music Competition:
Strings & Guitar Finals
After several weeks of exciting class heats, the first final in the 2023 competition was for string players. There were some outstanding performances from all age groups, showcasing rhythmic precision and tuneful playing. The adjudicators praised the way everyone captured the spirit of the music and they had a tough job deciding on these overall winners: William M (Junior Strings), Florence M (Middle School Strings), Levi L (Senior Guitar) and Sebastian S (Upper School Strings).
Singing Finals
Reaching the singing finals is always a fiercely fought battle, as we have so many excellent voices within the school. We heard a huge variety of styles and composers, including hymns, pop songs, classical art song and musical theatre hits. The adjudicators loved the confidence of these young performers, so many of whom are a key part of our school choirs and plays. The overall winners were: Lily B (Lower School Singing), Freddy N (Form 3 Singing), Thomas U (Form 4 Singing), Chloe G (Form 5 Singing) and joint winners, Hannah-May F and William H (Form 6 Singing).
Piano & Percussion Finals
The pianists and percussionists are always exciting, loud and impressive in their finals! There were some performers playing for the first time in public, alongside seasoned experts who are astonishingly talented for their age. Demonstrating a sense of rhythm and flow in performance was a key part of selecting the winners in this category: William M (Lower School Piano), Tom S (Middle School Piano), Benjamin I (Junior Percussion), Josh G (Upper School Piano) and Isaac C (Senior Percussion).
Woodwind & Brass Finals
The Woodwind and Brass finals rounded off a wonderful day of high quality music making. There was superb demonstration of progression from the new starters through to the professionalism of the advanced players, showcasing a wide range of dramatic and expressive music. There were some fiercely fought categories in this final, with the adjudicators nominating the following winners: Leonie S (Lower School Woodwind & Brass), Oliver R (Form 4 & 5 Brass), Josh G (Upper School Woodwind) and Isla S (Form 6 Brass).
Von Spreckelsen Award
Named after a former CPS family of excellent musicians, we make an annual award to a promising young musician selected by Mrs Williams. This year’s award was presented to Form 6 pupil, William S (Trumpet & Piano), for his high quality performing in the House Music Competition and his outstanding contribution to the Music Department during the years that he has been studying at CPS.
Across the three weeks of the competition, CPS children performed over 300 entries, with 103 being named as finalists and 20 children winning prizes. What a fabulous way for the school community to celebrate music!
